Sweet potato chips recipe

These sweet potato chips make an exciting, tasty change from white potato. They are a great colour and naturally sweet, so they should win over younger palates with ease.

This recipe is from my debut cookbook Get Your Kids to Eat Anything, which contains 70 recipes and a 5-phase programme to help you and your kids become more adventurous with food.

In the beautiful weather we've had this week, JD and I decided to make some baked sweet potato chips to go with our spicy fish sticks.

They're very easy to make, with only five ingredients plus seasoning to taste. You can make and bake your own sweet potato chips at home in under 40 minutes.

And here's a guide on how to make these fantastic baked sweet potato chips at home.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200C (400F), 180C fan, Gas Mark 6.

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into chips about 1cm (½in) thick. Put them in a bowl.

Add cornflour.

Mix with your hands.

Add the garlic granules and paprika.

Add the olive oil.

Mix again.

Tip onto a nonstick baking tray in a single layer and sprinkle with pepper.

Bake for 10 minutes, then turn and bake for a further 10–15 minutes until crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.

Serve and enjoy.

Aren't they just so easy and delicious! Who will you share your sweet potato chips with?

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect sweet potato chips

Are sweet potato chips easy to make?

These sweet potato chips are easy and quick to prepare. You'll simply chop them, season them, oil them and bake them. It really is that easy.

Will I need any special equipment for this sweet potato chips recipe?

No special kit is required to make these sweet potato chips. You'll just need weighing scales and measuring spoons, kitchen knife and chopping board, large mixing bowl and a nonstick baking sheet.

Are sweet potatoes the same as yams?

Sweet potatoes are root vegetables with a moist, sweet, orange-colored flesh and a smooth reddish-brown skin. They're not, in fact, the same as yams, which have a slightly furry, dark skin and a starchy, dry white or purple flesh.

So for this recipe, definitely go for sweet potatoes and not yams.

Where can I buy sweet potatoes?

You should be able to pick up sweet potatoes from just about any supermarket or grocery store. They come in a variety of sizes.

I like to go for slightly bigger ones for this recipe, so that it's easier to cut them into evenly sized chips.

How can I tell if my sweet potatoes have gone off?

Sweet potatoes should have a pretty even colour. If they have very dark spots, or look dusty, mouldy, wet, have sprouts or look like they're breaking down, it's best to discard them.

When you cut into a sweet potato it should have an even orange skin with a slightly milk look (thanks to the starch).

You should also discard any sweet potatoes that look odd when you cut into them, alongside any that smell unusual.

Is this sweet potato chips recipe suitable for vegetarians?

This recipe is suitable for vegetarians as it contains no meat or fish.

Is this sweet potato chips recipe suitable for vegans?

This recipe is suitable for vegans as it contains no animal products.

Is this sweet potato chips recipe gluten-free?

Provided you double check to make sure your cornflour and spices are labelled gluten-free, this recipe should be suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Is this sweet potato chips recipe keto-friendly?

Sweet potatoes are considered a high-carb food in keto terms, so this recipe isn't suitable for a keto diet.

You could try replacing the sweet potato with a more keto-friendly vegetable such as courgette (zucchini).

Is this sweet potato chips recipe safe to eat while pregnant?

There is nothing in this recipe that should present a risk to pregnant people if the ingredients are in good condition and have been stored correctly, and the recipe is cooked hygienically and safely.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. You can review the NHS advice here and you should consult with your medical professional regarding any concerns.

Are sweet potato chips suitable for babies and toddlers?

Babies and young children tend to have a palate that leans towards preferring sweet flavours, so they may well love this recipe.

I would leave out the salt, especially for babies. I would also leave out the spice unless you've already started introducing spice your little one, in which case you can start with a tiny pinch and work up as their palates develop.

Always give food at an appropriate size and shape for your baby or child. Cut small, round foods, like grapes and cherry tomatoes, into small pieces.

Always keep babies supported upright while eating and supervise your baby when they’re eating in case they start to choke.

The NHS has some excellent advice on feeding babies.

This website does not offer medical advice: always consult your health professional if you have any concerns.

Can I make this recipe without the spices?

Yes, you can leave out some or all of the spices if you wish and this recipe will still work.

I haven’t got garlic granules can I use fresh garlic?

Yes, you can. Use a couple of cloves and you'll need to mince or chop the garlic really finely so that it can spread to all the chips when you start mixing.

Can I keep my cooked sweet potato chips recipe in the refrigerator?

This is the kind of dish that is best served piping hot and fresh out of the oven.

However, if you do have any leftovers, you can store them the fridge for up to 2 days.

Be sure to put everything in an airtight container and into the fridge within two hours of coming out of the oven.

How long do sweet potato chips this recipe keep?

If properly stored and refrigerated, your sweet potato chips should keep for a couple of days.

Can I leave sweet potato chips out on the counter?

No, you shouldn't leave your sweet potato chips out on the counter. They should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge within 2 hours of making.

Can I make sweet potato chips ahead?

No, I wouldn't recommend making this recipe ahead. Its super quick and simple so is best made and served on the day you intend to eat them.

Can I freeze sweet potato chips?

Yes, you can freeze these chips. Cool completely and place in a sealed container and into the freezer within 2 hours of making.

You might wish to place a little baking paper between layers to stop them sticking together.

What is the best way to reheat sweet potato chips?

To reheat your sweet potato chips, place them in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet and cook in a preheated oven at 180C for 5-10 minutes until completely warmed through.

Can I make this sweet potato chips recipe in a different quantity?

You can indeed change this recipe to make more or fewer sweet potato chips.

To do so, simply scroll down to the recipe card found at the bottom of this page and click or hover over the servings number. A slider will appear that you can use to adjust the serving number, which will also automatically adjust all the ingredient quantities you need.

Can I make this sweet potato chips recipe with a food processor?

If you have a chip making attachment on your food processor, it could save you a lot of time and give you really evenly sized chips, but it's not essential - a kitchen knife and chopping board will do the job.

Can I make sweet potato chips in the air fryer?

Yes, you should be able to cook these sweet potato chips in the air fryer, just as you would normal chips. I haven't tested this myself but they'll probably take a similar amount of time to cook as they would in the oven.

How can I make sure my sweet potato chips are perfectly cooked?

Your sweet potato chips should be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. If they're hard to bite, they're not ready!

What oils can I use to make sweet potato chips?

As the chips are baked rather than fried, you don't need very much oil at all.

Pretty much any spray oil will do, from vegetable or olive oil spray, to the low-calorie-style oil sprays.

As you are baking rather than frying, you won't need to worry about smoke points as the oil won't be getting super hot.

Can I fry sweet potato chips?

You deep fry the chips if you wish.

Heat at least 5cm (2 inches) of oil to 160C/325F in a high-sided pan (this is to ensure the oil doesn't overflow when you add the chips).

Fry your chips in small batches for 2-3 minutes, then lift out of the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.

You can keep your chips warm as you work through the batches by placing them on a tray in a low oven.

Remember that if you fry the chips, it will increase the fat content of the recipe considerably.

Can I add extra seasoning to this recipe?

The first time you make this recipe, I'd recommend sticking to the recommended amounts so that you get a feel for the flavour-balance - the hint of spice and heat, complimenting but not overpowering the sweet potato.

The next time you make it, you can tweak the dish according to your preference. For example, you could add extra chilli to bring up the heat.

How can I add/change the flavours on my sweet potato chips?

You could have really great fun experimenting with the flavours in these sweet potato chips. How about basil and parmesan? Or curry powder with a dash of lime?

Why did my sweet potato chips turn out dry or overcooked?

This is almost invariably because the oven temperature was too hot or the sweet potato chips were in for too long, so double check your cooking times and oven temperature are correct.

If you're absolutely sure that they are then it could be that the dial on your oven is incorrect, so use an oven thermometer to correctly calibrate your oven.

Why did my sweet potato chips turn out soggy

This is almost invariably because the oven temperature was too low or the sweet potato chips were in for too short a time, so double check your cooking times and oven temperature are correct.

If you're absolutely sure that they are then it could be that the dial on your oven is incorrect, so use an oven thermometer to correctly calibrate your oven.

Are spicy fish sticks and sweet potato chips healthy?

While this dish may not quite be a salad of dark, leafy greens, it's definitely healthier than a portion of chips from the chippy!

Thanks to the odd tweak such as using sweet potatoes rather than standard white potato, and baking everything rather than frying, these sweet potato chips have plenty of nutrients without being too high in fat.

This means it's a good option for a healthy family meal when served with a good portion of veg and something with protein.

What goes well with sweet potato chips?

You should definitely serve this recipe with spicy fish sticks!

Or you prefer something vegetarian, how about these

Why are they called chips in the UK and fries in the US?

Picture crisp strips of potato with fluffy interiors - the UK calls them "chips", but the US calls them "fries".

Now picture very thinly cut discs of potato, fried so that the whole thing is crisp and crunchy. In the UK, they're called "crisps" but in the US, they're called "chips"!

What's more, Australians call both kinds of potato dish "chips", differentiating when needed by specifying "hot chips" or "cold chips".

Confusing, right?!

The etymology is pretty obvious - to make either dish, the potato is "chipped" and "fried".

Which name a particular country settled on seems to have all come down to which dish because popular first and a little bit of cultural variation.

Whichever terms you prefer, just make sure you use the right ones in the right countries, or you might be really disappointed when you order fish and chips!

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Here's the recipe for these baked sweet potato chips to print at home.

Plated fish and chips images by Tom Regester, step-by-step images by Emily Leary

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